Construction provides new hope for GDP

Activity in the construction industry fell by 3 per cent, instead of minus 3.9 per centGetty Images

Upwards movement in the fortunes of the construction industry caused the economy to shrink by less than expected between April and June, revised data has revealed.

The Office for National Statistics said that in its final revision of the figures, GDP contracted by 0.4 per cent in the second quarter of the year, better than the previous estimate of a 0.5 per cent drop.

Manufacturing output fell by 0.8 per cent in the second quarter, revised up from the previous estimate of minus 0.9 per cent, while activity in the construction industry fell by 3 per cent, instead of minus 3.9 per cent.

Activity in the dominant services sector, which makes up three-quarters of the economy, fell by 0.1 per cent, unrevised from the previous…

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